Original subtitles

Careful with that. Careful now, careful.

That box is Billy's box.

Did you hear him laugh?

All right.

Steady, lad. Steady.

Why shouldn't he laugh if he wants to? Quiet.

Hey, laddie.

Where's Snow anymore, do you think?

I like rain.

As I sit in on the water and all, give another hour or two and this canal will

be closed.

Is this your first trip to the coal mine in town, son? Aye, it is.

Oh, bitter and bleak.

If you're used to a full belly, you'll need it when you get there.

That's not material. We have our duty. And a soldier's duty is a soldier's

life. Ah, duty.

How far is it to the town?

Not far.

Follow me.

In a line.

All aboard.

All right, son.

Lily! Careful with the cat! Beat the dumb!

Sitchcock! Huh?

I got good news for you and all.

Here, give us a pint.

Course I can pay.

Four soldiers coming.

I just brought them in on me barge. They'll be looking for lodgings, so I

told them to come here. I think you did it and all. Best house in the town,

ain't it?

What are they after?

Recruits.

Did you hear that, Danny?

What do you think of that?

Why should I have to say what I think? Oh, go on, lassie, tell us. You know

about the good red coat button to back I'll bet.

Ha-ha!

Tell us about the soldiers.

Hey, wait! I can't keep you leaving us at all. Hey, keep your hands to

yourself. Crap it, old dog. Sit down.

Go on, Annie, love. You tell us. Get it off your chest.

I'll tell you for what a soldier's good. To march before his roaring drum. Shout

to us all, here I come. I've killed as many as I could.

I'm marching into your fat town.

From the war and to the war. And every girl can be my whore.

Because we know he'll soon be dead. We strap our arms round the scarlet red.

Send him weeping over the sea. Oh, he'll go on a long, long way.

Before he goes, we'll make him pay between the night and the next cold day.

By God, there's a lot more I could say.

Attention!

Standy by your beds.

Name of the Queen, missus.

As he told you, there's four on us.

Now then, we three, we settle for Pallyass's in't loft.

But the sergeant, Black Jack Musgrave, he wants a big brass bed with knobs on.

Well, that's his fancy.

Can you do it? Ah, I can do it. I've only one bed in the house. The sergeant

can have that.

The rest I'll have to dot in my stables out back.

But you'll be all right. There's a good stove. You'll be warm enough.

Just a minute.

Who pays?

You or the Queen?

Oh, Queen at the end of it all, I suppose.

Ah, but you for a start.

Oh, come on, Mrs.

Chalk it up, chalk it up.

You know.

Ah, I know.

Oh, we've got some gear with us, too.

Boxes and that.

Ah, well, there's a good coach arsed back at the yard there.

Sergeant, we're fixed.

Gear goes in coach house.

Right, take it in.

Say, lovely.

Sparks, we're doing that.

Why don't you have a pint apiece drawn ready, eh?

Sweeten the sergeant, strengthen the lads.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

Is the padlock on your courthouse a strong one, missus? Ah, very light.

Valuable equipment, you see. The window in there is barred. It is.

Ah. Good. Is this for me?

If you want it. Ha, ha, ha, ha.

You're sweetening, eh?

Here's to Her Majesty and to Her Majesty's wars.

And to the girls we leave behind us. Drink.

His Worship, the Mayor.

Eh? I said His Worship, the Mayor. I'll be here in one minute. Devil to see you.

Army buckles. Attention.

Thank you.

The mayor of this town, he owns the colliery, does he not? Ah, he does.

How long's the strike been on for? Strike?

Well, the mayor calls it a strike. The men call it a lockout.

We call it starvation.

Ah, Mrs Hitchcock, I'm seeking four soldiers.

Ah, Sergeant.

Ah, there you are. Let's have a look at you.

Well, there's no need for me to tell you who I am.

I'll have a lot on my mind. So, have you any... anybody in your snow, Mrs?

No, not just now. Well, I want a private word with the person. Sergeant, you wait

here. At your service, sir.

Ah, there you are. Give me the key.

Are the... are the guns stowed away?

Aye, and the box.

Billy's box is under the straw.

Well, keep him hid.

Keep him warm.

What do you think of them eh?

Fine strong men. They make me proud of my country Mr. Mayor.

Two ways to solve this Corey. One's to build a railroad here and cut me costs

of all edge.

That takes two years and an act of Parliament.

God knows I want to do it.

The other is to stir up a diversion. Turn their minds to something else.

The Queen's got war. She's got rebellions over the sea right?

Redcoats and flags.

Get rid of the troublemakers.

Drums and fives and glory.

A soldier's calling is one of honour. It's more than that. It's downright

convenient.

Town Constable, let's have that sergeant.

Excuse me, Your Worship. A point.

Soldiers, you see.

Now, I've got a very small force in this town, and I'm asking you to add them to

it. It's all right, them coming here recruiting, but Poppy wants patrols. Not

yet. Your Worship, I'm asking you formal.

You've got agitators here, and...

Well, I'm nervous, that's frank. I said not yet. We'll try it my road first. Oh,

God's sakes, man.

What's four soldiers against a lot of them?

This town is wintered up. You'll get no more help till there's a thaw.

So work on that.

I'll fetch in that sergeant.

Sergeant.

Ah, Sergeant, we're very glad to have you. I speak for the council, I speak

for the magistrates.

Now, there's loyal arts in true here, and we're every man-joke of us keen to

see our best lads flock to the colours. Isn't that right, Parson?

With great pride, yes.

Now, for every queen-shilling you hand out, I give out one golden sovereign.

Nay, nay, nay, two, two. One for the recruit, and one to be divided amongst

you and your three good lads. What do you say to that, eh? That's most

handsome, sir.

Damn, I think it is. Well, anything else you want to know while we're all here?

Not at the moment, sir.

Why?

You could tell me.

The town appears to be in a bad way with the poor coal trade and so forth.

Are there still some solid citizens left in residence, like tradesmen and such?

Precious few.

A score, I dare say, possibly.

Maybe five and twenty.

Aye, maybe. Why?

It's not really material.

Right, well, if there's anything else... Anything else, sergeant, you'd better

come and see me. I'll make quite sure you get full facilities.

Oh, town constable, while you're at it, perhaps you could let the sergeant on a

few likely names for his list, could you? Perhaps you could...

Pick him some possible strong-set lads, eh? I can have a chai, Your Worship.

Right, well, I must be off back to town. Oh, no time with that drink. Still got

all those here, so good day.

I think I ought to make one thing clear, Sergeant.

I've heard about recruiting parties.

There's enough trouble in this place as it is.

So I want no drunkenness and no fornication from your soldiers. There

will be none, sir. I am a religious man.

Oh, good.

Very good.

Good day to you. Good day, sir.

He, uh... He says there's at least a score, probably 5 and 20. Does it have

to be exact?

Of course it has to be exact.

Five lives for one, 25 for the five.

That's what we decide.

Leave it be.

I'm getting you three of your dinners out back. Come on, now, or you'll be

spoiling.

Are you eating with them?

No, ma'am. I'll just have a...

A hand of bread and cheese and take it here.

All right. Out to drink with you? Oh, thanks. That's the cheese.

Annie! Bread and cheese are here for this one.

Pickles?

Yeah?

I said pickles.

Ah.

No, ma'am.

Tell me, ma'am.

Is there many lately gone from this town for a soldier?

Some, you know, some.

I can't say it's ever been a common pleasure round these parts.

Not while they were cold to be sold, any road up. But there has been a few.

I dare say you know the sort of reasons.

The yellow-haired boy lay in my bed a-kissing me up from me toes to me head.

When my apron it did grow too short, he thought it were time to leave his sport.

Sergeant, you're... That's right.

You seem a piece stronger than the rest of them. Aye.

They call you Black Jack Musgrave.

That's right, lassie.

With good reason, too, you see.

I'm a soldier. My men are soldiers, too. Our work is not soft, no, it's not easy.

It's got a strong name to it. Duty.

A soldier's duty is a soldier's life, and it's drawn out clear and black for

us, as I stand straight and black against anarchy and wantonness and the

rest of what you carry.

I've observed your gate across the room.

Now you walk to the lee side of me and my soldiers or else you'll regret it.

You've observed a right good sight in a short while, haven't you?

But I've got eyes and all. I know your history.

The north wind in a pair of millstones was your father and your mother.

They got you in a cold grinding.

God help us all if they get you a brother.

She talks the kind of truth, that lassie.

She daft?

No, no, I wouldn't say daft, exactly.

All the same, there ain't many as are better abiding than us.

I do.

So what do you reckon to that? I reckon it does credit to the charity of your

heart, ma'am.

His worship the mayor is evidently keen. I should make something of a noise about

my recruiting here.

There's a marketplace, is there? Aye, there is. How many streets lead into it?

Just the two of them. Aye.

You see... If you want to talk to a crowd and get yourself heard, it's as

well to have the place well enclosed.

The town hall now, that's at the back of the square, isn't it?

Well, you seem to know all about it.

Aye, well, it sticks in my mind, you see.

I once had a... a kind of a comrade came from this town.

He told me a lot.

Long, yellow-haired lad, like in your little verse.

Name of, er... Hickson.

Was it?

Hickman. Eh?

What was his name now?

Billy... Billy... Hicks.

Billy Hicks.

Strange roads, Sergeant.

Strange roads making you along, I shouldn't wonder.

What do you mean?

It was Hicks.

I know it was.

Ah, yes, he used to come in here every Saturday night, drunk as a lord.

He'd stand at that bar and I'd say to him, now look here, young man, don't you

look to get any more here.

But he'd just laugh up at me and he'd say, hey, missus, I'll sing for me

drinking.

Then he used to start singing, you know, hymns like, chapel hymns he'd sing.

Lift up your edgy gates of brass.

Well, in the end he'd get her a baby and...

Then he went off to the wars. Well, the rebellions, they called it.

But they told us he were dead.

Killed. He was killed. Shot dead last year.

Give a babby to who?

Young Annie back there.

Huh? Oh, well, that's a fact.

Only when it were born, it'd come out all the wrong shape, like, you know,

pale and sickly.

Well, then he rode inside a couple of months, it were dead and buried in the

churchyard.

So, what do you reckon to that?

It's not material.

He was no great friends to me, but as you say, strange.

He did used to sing, and yellow hair he had, didn't he?

Have you finished your dinner today?

Time me to take a look at the town before it gets dark.

Billy Hicks.

What what you've been telling to me you mustn't tell to these here Dead men and

dead children should bite with her put you see and not rise up to thoughts of

the living It's bad for discipline, huh?

East West so I'll go to the north

I'm told it suits my nature

We'll meet in the churchyard.

Should be a good private place. And we'll talk over what we've seen. All

right. Make it sharp.

Coldest town I ever was in.

What did you see?

Oh, hardly a thing.

Street empty. No chimney smoking.

Oh, someone chalked up on a wall.

Soldiers, go home.

Home.

That's a place they think we've got somewhere.

When first I deserted, I thought myself free. I don't think you ought to sing

that one.

Why not, matey?

It's true, isn't it?

Court-martial, court-martial, they held upon me. And the sentence they passed

was the eye-gallows tree. Keep it controlled, son. We're supposed to be

recruiting. What in here?

Black Jack Musgrave always calls the roll.

Black Jack... First, you serve your punishment, he says.

Then I show you how.

Show me what?

How Billy can be paid for.

Go down to Billy's town, he says.

Tell them how he died.

Luke, I don't want to pay for him.

What did you see?

Oh, nothing, Sergeant.

It's a cold, bleak town, I can tell thee that.

Coldest town I ever was in. What did you see?

Roads are blocked, waters frozen, telegraph wires are weighted down with

the snow.

We'll be safe here.

Two days, three days, maybe. Anyone speak to you?

Someone threw a stone.

Here comes the fourth of us.

What did you see?

Oh, this town I was in.

Three men on one corner, two men on another. Dirty looks and not a word from

any of them.

One man swears a curse on me, that's all.

We'll have a right siding up to find 25 out of this lot. So, here we are.

All fit and appropriate.

Appropriate? We've come with you so far and every day we're in great danger.

Isn't it about time you brought out clear just what you've got in mind? How

is it? We're on the run, in red uniforms, in a black and white coalfield

and it's cold.

And the money's running out that you stole from the company office.

And we don't know who's out of us and how much they've heard. Anyone else care

to tell me what the time is? All right, Sergeant, please, easy. We're all your

men and we agree. All right, but we've got rights. The only right you have is a

rope around your neck and six foot six to drop from.

There was a murdered officer in the streets of that city. They put it down

to the rebels, but I know it was you. We deserted, but you killed.

And you stand in my power for it.

And my power is the power of God. And that's what brought me here and the

three of you with me.

Our message without God is a bad belch and a hiccup.

And the three of you without me are a bad belch and a hiccup. I don't believe

in God.

First you put the blackmail on this damn religion.

Why can't you realise I've got a good finger for a trigger and a good eye for

a foresight and leave it at that?

And all the same goes for the box we brought with us.

What about that box? It's not practical and it's not decent. That box is Billy's

box. You didn't even know him when he lived. Why should you care now that he's

dead?

Billy's dead.

He were my mucker. Back end of the rear rank.

He were killed dead.

Think clear.

Remember.

When he was killed by the rebels.

Who did we kill then?

We killed civilians.

Five of them.

In the streets of that city.

Five persons for one was the price charged for Billy.

So you take five here in this town for every one of those there and you work

the guilt back to where it belongs.

Twenty-five for the five to bring the wheel round. We've got a gatling gun.

We've got rifles.

Get the people set out in the marketplace. Tell them we're recruiting.

Show them the weapons.

Glamorise them with the glory.

Glamorise them. That's the word.

For the glory of war.

Then when we've done that, detach 25, hold them under guard and say, this is

what we've gone and done. These are our hostages. We're holding them to ransom.

We say that to the town and we say it to the whole country.

The newspapers, Parliament.

What about the Queen?

If you save these 25, you'll all save yourselves.

Just stop the killing. Stop it.

And that's how it'll happen.

Hey, stay where you are.

There's a union made at this colliery, do you know that?

We're strong.

If we say strike, we strike all ends of us.

That's fists and it's pick-ups and it's stones and it's feet.

If you work in the coal seam, you wear iron on your clogs, see?

Aye. And you fight for your lives, if need be. So do some others of us. Ah,

no, lobster.

You fight for pay.

They go sailing on what you call punitive expeditions against what you

call rebels.

And you strike men down in the streets.

But not here.

These streets is our streets.

Look at it, for God's sake. Stood here in a churchyard.

Waiting for riot, eh?

When you've got one, you'll have a murder.

All right, let's have one now, shall we?

It's dark enough, isn't it?

I'll give it you a shove.

I'll give you another.

Go on, son, keep going.

You stand at it long enough, you'll get us both to dunk us in time for the

races.

Yeah, right.

What's your name?

Harry Walsh is my name.

Aye.

All right, then, let's have you here.

Who told you we'd come to fight the strike?

You see, a strike, you see, soldiers, there's only one reason. Not all of us,

there isn't.

We weren't sent for, you know. Get away with that. And all soldiers aren't

alike, either.

Some of us is human.

No. I'll be at Mrs. Hitchcock's bar tonight.

Till such time as she shuts it, my money will be on the counter.

And any man who wants to come and find out what I'm doing here is welcome.

I speak fair.

You take it fair, eh?

Right? No, it's not right, Johnny Clever. These streets is our streets.

Next time there'll be more on us. So you learn a warning.

All right, come on, leave them be.

We know what they're after.

Come on!

I hate to stop this, Sergeant. Because they think we've come to turn bayonets

on pitmen.

But when they've heard us and the word of God, crying the murders that we've

done in one day's work in the streets of one city, they'll turn to us and they'll

turn against the war.

All wars, Sergeant Musgrave. I've got to turn against all wars.

I'm a private soldier. I went killing for the Queen. I did it for my wages.

That was me life.

But I've got a new life.

It was one night's work and I said no more killing. It's time we did our own

killing. No, boy, it isn't. I don't mean it at all. We're all on the run and

we're all of us deserters. We're wild, we're mad and raging. I said no more

killing. We are here with the word.

With the word.

Let the word dance.

That's all that's material for this day and the next when we hold our meeting.

What happens afterwards?

After my dance?

Then we take the hostages.

You be on the gatling gun.

First on a rifle, Sparky. And after that, Sergeant.

The Lord God will provide.

We must not presume.

I am with you, he said.

Abide with me in power.

A pillar of flame before the people.

What we show here will lead forward forever against dishonor and greed and

murder for greed.

God's dance on this earth and all that we are.

Use his four strong legs to dance it.

All right.

Take him back.

It's late.

I'll follow.

Yes, Sergeant.

All right, then, smartly walking up the street. Remember, we're recruiting.

I'll give you the time.

Left. Left.

Left. Right. Left.

Left. Oh, my Lord God.

Let me hear you once again.

All my life, a soldier.

I've made your prayers. I've made them straight.

My regiment was my duty. I called death honest, living by the book.

Then it all got scrawled and looked about, and I could not think clear.

Now I have my duty different.

I am in this town to change all soldiers' duties.

Five men have died.

Twenty-five must be taken.

So far in logic.

What should happen then?

Oh my Lord God, where are you pointing me forward?

Blow your morning bugle and blow your call they all, and form platoon and

press your axe and blow by blow.

Where's your first couple of my richly hearted women?

For leaving of the old true love that I would see no more.

Blow your morning bugle and blow your call they all, and form platoon and

press your axe and blow by blow.

They made us drill and muster and stand the century round. I never thought I'd

lay again a girl upon the ground.

That's my point, that's my point. All right, then, listen. But I'm not sure as

I will, because I'm a married man.

I'm a married man.

But soon we were faded and marching to the right. And every

time the girls lay down and tried out for more.

Of course, I like the looks of you.

Who, me?

No, you.

Who, me?

I've got a wife.

I've got a wife.

He's got a wife.

Nobody's taking her from you.

You're not going to be. I ain't going to tell you that. Steady, friends, steady.

Nobody's going to take her from you.

Everybody listen.

Everybody!

This is Her Majesty's hospitality, lads. That's all that it is. A soldier's

honour. So any man that drinks tonight... Any man that drinks tonight!

He drinks at the Queen's pleasure.

So drink and welcome.

And when the drum beats in the marketplace, all you who are still of

one mind can make your return in the signing of your names.

But only those who are willing.

That's all.

Now drink and away.

Sergeant, Sergeant, you're a man. I'm going to shoot you by the... That's all

right. You're a real man. Oh, hello, lovely.

Hey, listen, come here.

They call me Sparky.

Lots of games, lots of tricks.

Look.

Here,

take one.

Well?

Queen of spades.

That's another card to take.

Here, in she goes again.

Now then, now then, you take the first four cards off the top.

I've got work to do.

Oh, come on, lovely.

Wait, then, wait, listen.

I've something, listen, listen.

This is this man.

This swelter man. This bloody big guy. See?

Well, all on the pot.

You've had enough.

I'm not drunk. No, you're not going to be, Nathan. This is no time.

What about him, then?

Who have you been?

Why? Looking for a way out. Things might go wrong.

Cross the water makes a good roll. Can you use a pair of skates? You're making

me funny. You've got to be practical. You're not here to find a way out. Leave

it alone.

I hold the logic.

You hold some beer. Get on with your work.

Sergeant. Aye.

The Queen's in debt.

Another round of drinks for us all, man.

Chalk it up.

Sorry, no more chalk. No, that's easily found.

He's the best to look out of all four of you, isn't he?

Blackjack? I reckon I want to go for him, don't you, soldier?

You watch me.

I mean it, not him.

If you want to take me, I'll be back.

I'd say you were the next best.

Hello,

Mr Sargent.

Mrs Hitchcock told me to tell you your bed's made up of both in the loft.

It's a dark, twisty staircase.

If you care to ask for it, I could carry a can.

It's all right.

It's all right, blackjack.

I'm only doing what you told me.

Keeping away from your men.

I'm what they call an unfortunate.

You should look on me with charity.

Aye, you were right. I'm back.

So I'll come to you tonight.

Good choice. You've got sense.

I'll wait and they come.

I don't have to think of women, you see. I'll let them think of me.

It's like they were thinking, Sergeant.

If I hadn't let go of Brady at the present moment, I wouldn't be sitting

around here boozing.

I take a look at my coach house.

What about the coach house?

It's bars and it's windows and a crowbar and it's bars.

Move back, move back.

Are you ready?

Right now. Get in.

What's in there, Harry?

I don't know about this.

What is it?

Here. Wait a minute.

You know, that cookie Joe bludgeon were quite right what he told us they brought

with them. You know what this is?

It's a... It's a cattling gun, that is.

Were you wanting to borrow it?

Run for it, boys!

It's all right. They've all run away, Mr Constable.

No harm done.

I'm glad to hear that.

I'll try and trace them off, Sergeant. Give me sharp eye, all right?

What are you playing at?

Why didn't you turn me in?

Harry, watch.

I didn't get this on my arm because I can't tell men from Ninepins.

You lead the Union here, don't you?

You were after my Gatling.

Right.

How many men can you count on to follow you?

Until you come here with your Ireland arrogance and your free drinks all

round, every Johnny Jack of them. I've got three behind me.

Got the rifles, got the Gatling gun, and in here.

You didn't happen to look in here, did you? No.

I wouldn't assume too readily that we are all that we appear to be.

I could have turned you over to the peeler just now. You'd have been in the

lock-up.

But you and me are brothers.

By God, no.

A radical socialist.

Careful, soldier, careful. Do you want to be hanged? Oh, I mean it.

Preference in God.

You see.

Time, gentlemen, please.

Pass on this, everybody.

Who can you lead to do the comedy?

No, it's not you, it's not me, it's somebody else. Look.

It's time to close the bar. Get what you're talking about. Oh, no, you glossy

blue box with your mucky chimney. All right, that'll do there. That'll do.

Keep it easy.

Hey, we're not your army yet, you know. Steady, matey, steady.

Married men together, you've got a wife and I've got a wife. Aye.

And suppose I join your army, eh?

Suppose I get enlisted. What happens to my wife?

Cock-a-doodle-doo. Aye.

She goes off with ruddy Peter.

But I knock his wooden head off, I will.

Peter.

God,

you might have killed him. I shouldn't if he wants to.

I was going to, Sergeant. He would have. He'd have killed him.

It's always here. Kill him, kill!

All right.

I think they've all had enough to drink, Mr Constable.

I'll get these lads to bed.

All right.

All right, then.

Try and keep folks quiet.

I know you're going to buy them drink enough, but, you know, easy.

These are my men.

They're here with work to do. You're not to distract them. I won't.

There's workers for women.

As work is for men, let the two get mixed, you have anarchy.

Oh, and what's anarchy?

Yeah, you clever grinder.

Words and three stripes.

I'm a religious man.

I know how to be strong. I know words, I know deeds.

My men know how to be strong.

You'll not get between them and their strength.

Get yourself off.

You three, get to bed.

Attend to your duty.

Sergeant, I might as well take occasion to discuss some names with you. There's

a few like I can mention as it'd look very convenient on a regimental muster.

I'm here for volunteers only, you know that.

Ah, well, what's a volunteer? You and you? You're the army customs, eh,

Sergeant? Sleepy head.

Sorry a while, said slow.

Open book, said wise old rook.

We'll have prayers afore we go.

Very far.

Annie, I tell thee, Annie, I don't know what I'm doing here.

Listen,

we've made us up our beds in the stable.

Loose box for every man.

Put the sergeant in the house.

Aye, no. Aye.

Well, third box from the end tonight.

Fastest racehorse of them all.

Come for a gallop?

No, not tonight.

Oh. Go on.

Tonight. Maybe next I will. I can't tell from day to day.

If I don't find the king in his castle of gold, there's always the pigman lies

stinking in the mould. That hurt you?

Aye, it should.

It were intended.

Gay and greasy like I like them.

You ought to wash your face, though.

Your neck smells of soot, doesn't it? I've been blowing up the fire.

The last dad was a major's daughter.

I've got standards, lovely.

Good night, Mrs.

Good night.

Agitators, there's agitators in and out of the army. I'm not sure we want them.

Yeah, what's this name here you put a line under? Harry Walsh. Aye, Harry

Walsh. He's the worst of them by far.

Well, I'll see what I can do. Might be able to work something out.

Well, it looks as though it's turning for a thaw.

Oh, it is.

They've got the telegraph working.

His Worship sent for a troop of dragoons.

Dragoons? Aye, dragoons. They're not a four-time. I tell you, that's frank.

Aye, wise.

Very wise, Mr Constable. You say they've been sent for? Aye.

When will they be?

Not a four-midday.

Aye.

Tomorrow morning, eh?

First thing tomorrow morning, I'll hold my recruiting meeting, eh?

You arrange the facilities and that.

I've got the flags.

Gamorise them with the glory, eh?

That be all right?

I beg your pardon, it's wood. Like, you order attention so we can get to

Dragoons Inn. Aye.

Aye. I'll go and tell them there.

Aye, listen up, then.

Right about now, Nervous.

Why don't those Pippin take themselves on?

He came to me at midnight

with moonlight on the land.

I bid her not to make no noise, nor

cause no...

Hello. I'm cold.

I'm a blue ghost.

Come torture.

Come on, lad, warm me up.

You'll not catch cold off me. No, I dare say not.

Ah, but what about the next morning?

Aye.

Morning's different, ain't it?

I'm not saying out about mornings, cos then we'll all be cold.

Cold and lonely.

Like standing a crowd, but everyone alone.

1,000 men make a regiment, you'd say.

Fair enough.

For all that, when you're with them, you're still alone.

Isn't that right?

So, ogle me down in the warm, boy.

Keep out the wind.

It's late.

Dark.

Hey. You're not as big a soldier as the sergeant is.

No.

But you're about right size with my Billy.

I call that appropriate.

What? Oh, come on, lad. You and me, we should have love, shouldn't we? Love?

Stand away.

He said... He said Billy.

Now that's Billy X, is it, am I right?

How did you know?

So that's it.

I ought to have thought of it. Stand away, I'll not have you. Lovie.

Lovie, what's the matter? You want me to lose my life inside of you, I know it.

No, no, just for five hours, boy, six. Oh, Black Jack was right.

We've got to be strong, stand against anarchy and wantonness. You take no to

Black Jack, do you? I do. It's too late for anything else. Oh, God, then they

have. They've found Black Jack, her brother.

Drawn out straight and black all right. Why are you the one to trample down the

anarchy for him? The hungry army.

You eat and you drink and then you go. No, you won't even eat when it's over,

will you?

I'd spoil yourself down at the store without me. Get up to your work

tomorrow. Drum them in and write them down.

Infect them all and bury them.

I don't care.

I don't make no anarchy.

I don't even know what it means.

All I know is like life and love.

Let me stay with you. God's sake, God's sake, leave a man to sleep.

Life and love is it.

I'm an old soldier, girl. You dirty old dog I am, and I've seen it all here.

Lay up there, son. Get in your manger and sleep.

And leave this to the men. All right, then you're welcome.

No, not tonight.

What would you know about women?

About soldiers?

More than you think I know, maybe.

I doubt it.

A blackjack would say it's not material.

Let's say there's blood on these two hands.

You can wipe them as often as you like on a lass's tangled hair, but it still

comes blood the next time, so why bother, he'd say.

And I'd say it too.

Gurley, when I was a young lad, I married a wife and she ran away with a

greengrocer. He was best looker, like he's the best looker.

In a row, that's what she said.

I saw him, four foot ten inches tall.

and he looked like a rat grinning through a brush.

But he sold good green apples, and he fed the people, and he fed my wife.

I didn't do either.

So now I'm an old dog with a red tunic and blue breeches, and that's all about

it.

Blood, you see, killing.

Good night.

Honey.

Come up here.

I can't bear with no more of you.

Annie, please let me talk.

I'm not that daft, you know.

No, and I'm not that drunk, neither.

Look, look.

See? Hey, I'm a stalk.

You see, Annie, I was listening, but...

What's that window up there?

The one with the light on?

It's where the sergeant is.

Oh, I thought so.

Well, he's awake.

I say, God's awake.

At least he was awake.

Light out.

He's gone asleep.

God, I never thought he'd sleep.

Look.

What have you got against me?

Now, did I know? Ah, but you didn't come to me, did you?

After all them jokes and card tricks.

Well, a man can laugh, can't he?

Hey, Annie.

Listen to this one.

Because this is a real laugh.

There were these three lads, you see, and they made it out, they'd have a

strong night, all night on town.

Each boozer in turn.

Payday, see?

Well, first one in first boozer, he says, each man drinks my choice, he

says, a sup of arsenic to every man's glass.

That's what they have to drink.

Arsenic. Poison.

Well, one of them, he drinks.

And he dies.

Next one drinks, he dies.

What about the third?

Does he have to drink that rule?

Cos they made it a rule.

Oh, look.

Kiss me, will you, quick?

I ought not to be talking.

I think I've gone daft.

All right.

I will.

And he... And he... See, I heard you when you were with him there.

I know all about it.

Billy Hicks and you.

Well, see, he's got to be paid for.

I don't understand.

All I can understand is a little twisted dead thing that nobody laughed at.

A little withered clover.

Three in one.

Ah, that's right.

That's what there was.

There was him.

There was me.

And a baby in the ground.

Bad shape.

Dead.

Honey, look.

All it needs is you live and I live.

We don't need his good order.

We don't need his duty.

A dead man's a dead man.

We go our own road and live. We don't follow nobody. What are you talking

about?

God.

I don't know.

God's asleep.

But when he wakes up again... Hey.

Quiet, boy, quiet.

Easy, easy.

Fire! Fire!

Fire, even quickly!

One, two, three, four, five.

Sparky, it's your God.

He's hurt.

Sparky, help me.

Sarge.

Sarge, what are you doing?

The old town.

Sarge.

Awake.

Awake. The whole town's awake now.

Wide awake.

All quiet on the streets.

All quiet on the streets, sir. That's according to order.

All right, let's take stock then. Sergeant. Lift them down from the

wagons. There.

One, two, three, four, five.

Careful, careful with that man. He's got his legs caught up. Sergeant.

You, soldier, you.

Wipe that filth from your bayonet.

Who gave you orders to go fixing bayonets?

Sergeant. I did not.

My bayonet is clean. Look, clean.

Fixing my bed.

Two paces forward.

Any man who's tied to make a murderer out of me.

Sergeant. One, two, three, four. Sergeant, wake up.

Sergeant, you've got to wake up. You're having the nightmare.

Sergeant.

I wasn't asleep.

Oh.

Well, you won't awake any road up.

Yeah.

How about you drop a bottle of grog? Drink it up. It'll do you good. Come on.

That's right.

You see, I... I heard you calling out. I thought you must be poorly. This is

something you've got to know.

I'm a religious man.

You know that. Aye, I know that, yes.

Do you go to chapel?

Now and again, aye.

You see, you know that lassie here, will you?

I told her to keep away from her men, you see.

Because I've seen such bad things done.

And to good men, too.

If you knew what your side of creation could do to a man.

To break down his duty and reduce him to nothing.

You'd not call me cruel.

I'd say you had good reasons if you thought a thing like that. Reasons?

Aye.

I have reasons.

I believe in the one true word.

I am with you, he said.

Abide with me in power.

A pillar of fame before the people. Now, calm down. Come on, lay down, lad. Come

on, now, there's a good lad. Lay down. 25. Come on, now. Easy now, Sergeant.

Easy now.

Look,

love, there's all the snow still lying on the roads.

We can't leave the town now.

But suppose you could bed me down somewhere?

I mean, like, hide me.

Aye, I'll hide you.

By did we, me? What if it's all over?

By did what? What's all over? What's going to happen?

Hey, oh, that's the question.

It's Black Jack's work, not mine.

I tell the Annie it's no joke no more for me.

Get me out of it, will you?

Pull your clothes on sharp, then.

I'll hide you, I will.

But you'll not leave me behind?

No.

Swear it.

Sworn.

Must be sharp.

Where's me trousers? Here.

Give me them.

Come and get them, Sparky.

You'll be a grand desertor, won't you, running bare-legged over the moor in six

-foot drifts of snow.

Give me a jump.

Not a twitch, like a clockwork puppet three parts of the night. But on the

last night of all, you run, you little plushy coward.

Easy,

easy, hold it.

He's got my trousers.

Don't you spark, Kate! Stop that! Burn it!

Stop it!

You know that's covered.

Wait here.

He's dead.

He's dead. That's your end. You killed him. I can't. Get dead!

I've got the bayonet.

Oh, my God!

Where is it? Sparky's been killed.

He's unbinded. He was deserting.

I tried to stop him. It wasn't me. It was me.

I got holding the bayonet. You can call it an accident, but I don't know what

that means. Shut up!

You said deserting.

We'll see with him.

Desertion. Fornication.

It's not material.

Hide him away. He's dead. In the midden at the back of the yard. Hurry.

Musgrave, what are you doing? I'm doing what comes next. That's all I've got

time for. But he's killed. You see, he's killed.

Musgrave, don't you see that? Wipes the whole thing out.

Wiped out, washed out, finished.

Hide him away. Come on, catch on hold.

Oh, you can whimper.

You can open your mouth like a quicksand and all.

But I have to think. I have to do. Sergeant, Sergeant, what's... Mrs.

This thing's gone wrong.

Don't ask me what.

Will you trust me?

Aye. Take this lassie upstairs.

Lock her away. Keep her out of sight.

I have a good reason.

You'll know in the fullness of time. Do as I tell you and you'll come to no

harm. All right, then. I'll take her and lock her up somewhere. Perhaps it

wouldn't be best.

That's blood.

Aye.

I know what it is.

I said don't ask.

Trust me.

I'm a religious man.

Well, I've always praised religion.

Go on, go. Out of it. Come on.

I'm a religious man.

I have to think.

I have to do.

Oh, my Lord God, those you have appointed to stand with me in this work

are filled with the weakness of the flesh and have come near to destroying

it all. But I, oh God, in your word, am proof against such weakness.

Here, beneath my hands, I see my clear purpose.

Your servant, William Hicks.

Has come home at last.

And the sight of my true dance before the people will not fall upon blind

eyes. The wheel of your logic shall be brought round, spoke by spoke, without

deluding mercy.

The world alone is terrible.

The deed must be worse.

But I know it is your logic.

And you will provide.

Here we sit.

Like birds.

in the wilderness.

Birds in the wilderness.

Come so far.

The hungry army is coming to town.

Meet them in with a holy book, a golden train, and a scarlet gal.

Silence for the mayor.

Long live his worship. Who gives us food and clothing and never spares to meet

the people with a smile.

Hooray!

All right, darling. Don't be so previous.

He'll surprise us all yet.

Silence for the mayor.

All right.

Now then, it's been a hard winter.

I know there's been a bit of a thaw this morning, but it's not over yet.

There may be worse to come.

Now, although you may not think it, I'm as keen and eager as any of you to see

the pits working again.

So we can all settle down in peace to a good roast and baked ages and a good

pudding and the rest of it.

But I'm not here to talk strikes today. No, it isn't a strike. It's a bloody

locker.

I said I'm not here to talk on that today.

Now, Sergeant Musgravia has come seeking men for the Queen.

Now, that's a good opportunity.

It's a grand opportunity.

And it's up to you to take it.

By God, if I were a young man in a town without work, you'd not catch me hanging

back. There's only one man drives a work away in this town, mate.

Silence! All right,

I know you think I'm playing it crooked all the time.

I know.

But listen to this. Here's real gold.

It rings true to me, and it rings true to you.

And there's one for each lad as volunteers.

Now, that's straight.

It's from the shoulder. It pulls no punches.

Take it or throw it away.

I'm set off here and waiting.

All right, Parson, tell him your piece now.

Quite well, the vicar's at you. He talks good sense and a bit of education.

That's what you need and all.

All right, Parson, tell him.

Jesus said, I come not to bring peace, but a sword.

I know very well that the times are difficult. As your minister of religion

and as a magistrate, it is my business to be aware of these matters. But we

must remember that this town is only one very small locality in our great

country. Very true, very true!

Our great country.

And if...

And if our country is great, and I for one am sure that it is great, it is

great because of the greatness of its responsibilities.

They are worldwide.

They are noble. They are the responsibilities of a first class power.

Oh, give a cheer, boys.

Give a cheer.

When we are called upon to shoulder our country's burdens, we should do it with

a glancing eye and a leaping heart, to draw the sword with gladness, thinking

nothing of our petty differences and grievances, but all united under one

brave flag to go forth in Christian resolution and show a

manly spirit.

Sergeant Musgrave here would take the names of any men willing if you file on

the platform in an orderly fashion. In the name of the Father and the Son...

Ah, Mr. Mayor, I think it might be as well before enrolling any names if I was

to say a few words first on the type of service the lads is likely to find

overseas and so forth. Ah, good idea.

We got my name down there.

No, not yet. Would you like me to take it?

Some of those was a bit full like last night in the boozer. A man's legitimate

pleasuring friend. There's no harm in that. Then what's this then, eh?

Someone put this in me hat.

Oh, I'll tell you what that means. That means that you drank alongside me last

night. Nothing more.

And you promised to come here today and listen to me. Well, here you are.

Oh, provisional, eh?

Aye, that's right. That's what it is. Provisional.

Aye. Well, provisional or not.

We're signing that without we've heard more.

Now, if he can prove to me that it's better to be shot nor starved, I'll

listen for one.

Well, I'm ready to believe I've had enough of no work, no food, and no

fire.

Well, come on, soldier.

You tell us. All right, then.

All right, now.

We've all heard lots of tales about the army and lots of funny jokers always

ready to tell them and all.

We all know them, we know all about them, we've heard them, and it's not my

job here today to tell you what's true and what's not true. Now, of course,

you'll meet an RSM here or a proper sergeant here as wants you to cut the

grass with nail scissors.

Or dust the parade ground with your toothbrush.

Well, that's all bull.

That's all in the game.

That's not what brought me here. It's not to put these on my arms.

It's nothing to do with my life or these lads here or any of yours.

Because there's work in the army. And bull's not right working, and believe me

on that.

So, I'm going to show you what the real work is.

All right? Hand it over.

This is the rifle.

This is what we term the butt of the rifle.

This is the barrel.

This here is the breech.

And this, well...

You ought to know what this is, you see.

You ought to know what it does.

So that's the rifle.

It's a good weapon. It's new, it's quick, it's accurate.

This is a bayonet.

It kills men smart, you see.

It's good, it's good, and it's beautiful.

But I've more to show you than a rifle.

Uncover.

Now this, you see...

This is the newest, the smartest.

Call it the most beautiful.

It's a Gatling gun, this is. Now watch how it works.

The rounds are fed to the chambers in a radial fashion by means of a hopper

-shaped aperture here.

Now pay attention while I go through the preliminary process of loading. You see,

the point is that we've got a gun here that doesn't just shoot, bang, rattle,

click up the spout. What are you waiting for, bang? But bang-a-dee, bang-a-dee,

bang-a-dee, bang-a-dee, bang-a-dee, bang!

And there's not a man left alive in the whole marketplace.

It's modern times, you see.

Progress!

350 rounds in a minute. Flat.

Now then, you see, the gun's loaded. Didn't take long, you see. No.

Hey!

No!

Now we come to the question as to the use of these weapons.

Well, the good Reverend Gentleman outlined that for you in his few short

words. Me and my three lads here... Two lads,

I'd rather say.

We belong to a regiment a few thousand miles away from here in a little country

of not much importance except that the Union Jack flies over it and the people

of that country can write British subject after their names. And that

makes them proud. I tell you, it makes us proud. We live in tattered tents in

the rain.

We eat rotten food.

There's knives in the dark streets, blood on the floors of the hospitals.

But we stand tall and proud because of why we're there. Because we're there to

serve our duty.

A soldier's duty is a soldier's life.

A soldier's life is to lay it down against the enemies of his queen,

against the invaders of his home, against slavery, brutality, tyrants.

You put on the uniform and you give your life away.

And you give it to... You give it to your duty. And you give it to your

people for peace and for honesty.

That's my book.

What's yours?

Well,

it sounds all right to me. It's strong.

What about you? You speak with enthusiasm, yes? I hope you'll be

listened to. By God, I hope I am.

Do you hear me?

Do you hear?

I hope I am.

I'm the Queen of England's man.

I'm wearing her coat. I know her book backwards.

I'm called Black Jack Musgrave. Me, the hardest sergeant of the line.

I've lived my life to bugle and drum.

For 18 years I fought for one flag only.

Saluted in the morning, hauled it down at dark. The last post of a living life.

Was that what it was?

Look!

I'll show it to you all, and then I'll dance for you beneath it.

Hoist up the flag, boy!

Up he goes.

Up he goes, and no one knows.

How to bring him downwards.

Huh?

Dead man's feet.

Over the street.

Riding your roofs.

Trying down your chimney.

Up he goes.

No one knows who it was that throws him.

But white and red, he waves his head. He sits on your back. And you'll never,

never lose him.

I don't know.

I don't know for that.

Right. Come back.

Come back.

All quiet now.

But don't anyone leave the marketplace.

You saw the gun being loaded there.

It's on a very quick swivel.

The man behind it is well trained.

And I've won the regimental cup four years running for small arms

marksmanship.

So be good.

Be gentle.

All of you.

All right,

Mr. Mayor.

Now I'll explain the whole business. Business? What business?

Do you imply it's your threat because with these weapons?

Oh, look at these guns.

Grab him.

Rashad, warn again.

You two over there.

Constable, you!

Right.

Now, I said I'd explain.

This up here was a comrade of mine.

Of ours, I should say. At least he was till a few months ago.

This up here was killed being there for his duty in the country I was telling

you about.

He was walking down a street.

Latest at night, you see. Been to the opera.

There was patriots abroad.

Anti-British, subversive.

The dead shoot him to his face.

So on his way to camp again, he was shot dead in the back. Get on to the words of

the matter, Sergeant. I'm speaking now. You wait your turn.

So we come to the words of the matter.

He was the third to be killed that week.

The 15th that month, in the back and all.

Added to which, he was young, he was light.

He laughed, joked, sang songs, they say.

He was a good soldier too.

So at 12 o'clock at night, they beat up the drums, called out the guard. The

guard calls us all out, and the streets are red and slippery, and every soldier

in the camp, no longer in the camp, but in the streets of that city, rifle butts

and bayonets, and every street cordoned off for eight blocks north and west of

the Opera House.

And that's how the work began. The streets is empty, but the houses is

full. He says, the colonel says, no one do measures, minimum violence, he says,

but bring in the killers.

The killers have gone.

I've gone miles off in that time, sporting away right up into the

mountains, I told you at the time. That's not material. There was only one

killed, but everyone's responsible.

So bring the lot in, it's easy. They're all in bed.

Knock the doors down, knock them on the head, boy, chuck them to the wagons. I

didn't know she was only a little child.

There were scores of them on that staircase.

Pitch dark.

Trampling, screaming.

All of them screaming. What are we to do? Knock him on the head, boy. Chuck

him to the wagon.

How was I to know she was only a little child?

That's not the material.

You were told to bring her in. If you brought her in and you killed her, what

does it matter?

She was only one.

Get back on the galley.

Attend to your duty. Here, the rifle.

I must have order.

So, I tell you.

Quietly. How many there was aside from her? Aside from her, there was four men.

One of them elderly.

Turned out to have died.

Making five.

Not so very many, you see.

Dark streets.

Natural surge of rage. We didn't find the killers. Of course we didn't find

them. We didn't even know them.

But I know them now.

And I know how to find the wheel of logic. And bring the wheel of logic

round.

Five persons for one.

In the streets of that city, 25 for the five.

And we have these three to start with.

The town jail has keys. Hand them over.

I want 22 more of the same mind and station. They're in the town. Who'll

fetch them for me?

It's not of this man. He's got a stack of his. Why doesn't somebody do

something? Get still.

Now then, hurry, watch.

Now comes the chance to prove our true brotherhood.

We don't mean to deal with you and your mates for a change, but some of it

higher up.

I've not yet got this clearly.

When we tried to ship away yon Gatling of yon last night, there were no doubt

at all what we wanted to do with it. But what do you want to do?

25? 25 what for? You might call them hostages. We shall lock them inside,

behind their own bars.

It's our town you see now after today.

We've got the keys, got the doors, got the jail behind the doors.

And we've got you behind us. And we tell the people so and we tell the government

of England.

We tell them all!

It won't do!

Why not, Harry Walsh? It's about time, isn't it? This town lives by collieries.

That's coal owners, and it's pitmen.

And they battle.

Aye, and the pitmen'll win.

But what we know, soldier boys, to order our fight for us.

Now, a little nosegays, dandled in your hat bands.

Take them out sharp.

Trade unions aren't formed, you know, so we can all have beer ups on the army.

Wait! Wait, there's one point further.

Wait! Take one more look at him.

You all used to know him, or most of you did anyway.

Private Billy Hicks, late of this parish.

Nay.

Nay, never.

Never, that's never Billy Hicks. He caught call alongside of me for nigh on

a year. He gave his plugs to me when he went to join up. Aye.

That's never Billy Hicks.

That's never Billy Hicks. That's never Billy Hicks.

I don't dare believe it.

You've knocked up to the road, boy.

All the white faces.

She ought to be told.

She's got a right to know. You believe this was Billy Hicks? I believe it. And

you know what I think?

It's downright indecent.

Wait, wait, wait. You see, you see, there's a reason.

I am a religious man.

And when the hand of the Almighty touches my night... That's absolute

death. You see, you see, for 18 years, until the night of this work, I live by

the Queen's book. It used to be my duty. Now it's a disease. We earned our living

by beating folks like yourselves in the streets of their own cities.

And it's driven us mad. Wildwood mad.

Wildwood mad we are. But we fetched the madness home. We brought the madness

back to England.

But we brought the cure too.

To turn it on to them that sent it out.

Way out they sent it.

where they thought that only soldiers could catch it and rave. Well, here's

three redcoat ravers on their own kitchen hearthstone. We're going to

break open the borders, close the board shops.

Jing, jing, jing, jing, jing.

You heard what he said.

From over the sea, not ours, not us, not one of us. Of course he is, and so are

we all.

We stand for you before we stood for these.

Aye, and we killed and they killed and they killed and we killed. Kill! Kill!

And it'll never stop neither unless someone

finds out the logic and brings the wheel of logic

round.

Twenty-five shall die.

Twenty-five today.

For the five that we killed.

For the one that was killed.

25 to die.

And the logic is worked out.

Who shall we start with? Him. Him and him. And 22 more.

You hurt them hard. And they'll not hurt you again.

And they'll not send us to hurt you neither.

Give us the gun.

No.

That's not right. I don't have to do that.

It's enough for us to show that it could have been done. Never kill again, never.

You swore there'd be no killing. No, no, I did not, no.

You let us to believe it.

Bring out the guns, bring out the people, show them the dance. When it's

there, we should have ended, that's the truth.

Well, I've ended.

No killing.

Get back to your duty.

Get back when you're told.

My true love is a scarecrow.

Of rotted rag and bone.

Ask him.

Where have the birds gone, Billy?

Where have they all gone?

My lovely Billy.

You take him.

You kill him.

You hang him on a pillar for a stand around a guggulant.

Wake up your mind.

Adlercliffe, get out of my sight.

Hey, Lassie, Lassie, you tell him.

This was yours. It was Billy Hicks. There's only one way to pay for him. You

know it's the truth.

Now tell him.

Did you say the truth? Aye.

Who do you think you are to talk of the truth? Give us the gun. Anyone.

Anyone.

Hey, wait up.

Take a side of this, you arty colliers.

See what they brought you.

You can match it up with Billy's.

weren't they?

Well this morning there's three.

They buried the other one in Myers Cogs midden.

Go on, ask them why.

He's a deserter is why.

Hey, here's the little hole where they let in the bayonet.

Here I, he's laying.

His blood's on my tongue.

So hear what it says.

A bayonet is a raven's beak.

This tunic's a collier's jacket.

That scarecrow's a birdcage.

Well, what more do you want?

Take, take the rifles.

All you men who said you wanted a gun, here, attack them.

Is this what she says, true?

Where is he, the fourth of you?

He was killed. It was an accident. It's not material.

Of course it's material, and it was no accident.

We brought back the blood, and we brought it without the cure.

Don't take the guns, boys. Listen to the lassie.

By God, that proves it.

Military honours.

Do you want to stand by them when they've done it for their own mucker and

not one of the bastards can tell you the same tale?

Throw down those rifles!

Throw down your rifle.

Halt! Are you ready?

Halt! All men with me on this side.

Ha!

The rest...

Arrest!

I'm gonna die!

I give a one, two, and a three, and I'm sweeping the square.

One, two... No!

I swear it, I swear it. I'll put the first one through you. I don't like

nothing.

It's all back up, Batshack.

You've lost it. You and your word and your bones.

I'm getting out.

That's very wrong!

Arrest!

Get back to your duty!

Get back to your duty!

Sergeant!

Put up your hands!

God made sense.

Mr. Mayor, are we in time?

Aye. Aye, you're in time.

You're just in time. I'll say no more than that.

Law and order is established then. Why is the council so prevailed, Captain?

I got him, Captain.

I used my strategy.

Congratulations, though. No, Mrs.

Open up your pub. I'll pay for it and all. Don't worry.

Community's been saved.

Peace and prosperity rule.

We're friends and neighbours for the rest of today.

We're all sorted out.

We're right back where we started.

So what do we do?

Give a cheer!

Bring out the beer!

No more thinking!

Easy drinking!

End of a bad, bad dream!

Just forth the flowing stream!

Let normal life begin again!

Begin again!

Was an old man named Mike.

Sergeant, swallow this down.

It's pork, be a drop of lemon, as it'll do you good.

Ah, here it is.

The Lord's word was with me.

What made it go wrong?

If not, you could bring in the war and end it by force of its own rules.

No good, no good.

Nobody ever cured the pox by going on whoring.

But the Lord's word was with me.

I knew it.

I had it all worked out.

Numbers and orders according to logic.

How could he have given it to you?

A cook or the old fool in a red coat and blue breeches.

He must have done, must he?

Because I haven't got it now.

And Hurst hasn't got it.

And the people in the marketplace.

They haven't got it either.

Listen to them, dancing away.

Sergeant, those men are hungry.

They haven't got time for you now.

But one day they'll be full.

Then they'll remember.

Let's hope so, any road.

Here.

Holy God, why wasn't I born a greengrocer?

I plucked a blood-red rose flower down and gave it to my dear.

I set my foot out across the sea and she never wept a tear.

I came back home as gay as a bird and sought her out and in.

And I found her at last in a little attic room with a napkin under her chin.

Oh, are you eating meat, my dear?

So are you eating fish?

I'm eating an apple was given me today, the sweetest I could wish.

So I asked her where she found the apple, and you hear what she told me?

All the pages of my book are torn up and blown away, and you gabble to me about a

green apple?

Your blood-red rose is with them and tall and fallen to the floor.

And he who brought the apple down shall be my darling dear.

They're going to hang us up a length higher than most apple trees grow,

Sergeant. Do you think we can start an orchard?